Ethereally smeared in white ash with long stringy locks of hair, infused with the hope of attaining Nirvana, streams of carnal souls bind together to take the pious dip at the confluence of the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, the Maha Kumbh is mesmerizing.
Etched in the history of mythology, is the conflict of demigods and demons over the potion of eternity. It was during this battle that a few drops of the holy nectar fell in the womb of earth giving birth to four enigmatic places in India , namely Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. The name “Kumbh” symbolizes the pitcher of nectar which has the power to free each one of us from the cycle of life and death. Every twelfth year it is at any of these four holy places that Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated with unwavering fervor and faith.

Maha Kumbh Mela 2013:

The Kumbh Mela 2013 commenced on Janaury 14th with millions of people gathering in Allahabad (Prayag), a city in North India, to take a dip in the holy waters. This intriguing ceremony of bathing in sacred waters comes with the promise of salvation. Hindus believe that the ritual of cleansing their bodies would set them free from their sins, thereby ending the cycle of rebirth.

The bath uplifts the mind and spirit inducing the feeling of serenity, post which fresh clothes are adorned by devotees and the atmosphere is enveloped in religious discourse.

How to reach Maha Kumbh – Allahabad (Prayag):

One can steal a sight of compelling Maha Kumbh Mela or even become a part of this mega religious event by taking a flight to Allahabad. The Allahabad airport belongs to Indian Airforce and allows flights from limited cities. You also have an option of hopping on to a flight to Varanasi and Lucknow , the nearest cities to Allahabad. To cater to the million plus footfall at Maha Kumbh 2013, the Indian railways have ramped up their train service, 750 additional trains would be running till February 10th to Allahabad and nearby cities.

Where to Stay:

Tents have been pitched by the Government of India to make the stay of tourists and devotees comfortable. Bathrooms, toilets, food and water have been catered for. There have been some unceremonious incidents in few places around Sangam, such as Juna Akhara, therefore entry of foreigners is prohibited at such places. One can even stay in hotels such as Hotel Yatrik and Hotel Grand Continental .

Weather:

The months of January and February in North India come with a promise of nice balmy weather. One enjoys the afternoon sun coupled with cool breeze but it’s at the night time that the mercury dips to 4-5 degree Celsius. It’s always advisable to pull out your warm clothes from your closet and pack them for this spell bounding experience of Maha Kumbh Mela.